Minister of Irrigation and Aquatic Resources Nimal Siripala De Silva states that due to lack of rain in the dry zone, close to 25,000 hectares of cultivated paddy fields are at the risk of being destroyed.

He further stated that the paddy fields that are being irrigated from the water of the Mahaweli River are facing this risk.

The Minister also stated that it has become difficult to supply water from the Mahaweli reservoirs Polgolla and Upper Kotmale to the Kala wewa, Giritale, and Alahera main reservoirs.

Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva made these statements during a press conference held to give an update on the status of the Mahaweli Reservoirs due to the current weather conditions.